Clare Mackintosh’s debut novel, I LET YOU GO, featured a twist that I never saw coming and literally rocked my world. Now, like an addict seeking his next fix, I eagerly rush towards her next release, hoping to experience that same feeling. THE LAST PARTY, her latest book, is an immensely satisfying psychological thriller. It possesses not a single major twist but rather an endless series of small revelations that will keep readers guessing right up to the last page.

"THE LAST PARTY...is an immensely satisfying psychological thriller. It possesses not a single major twist but rather an endless series of small revelations that will keep readers guessing right up to the last page."

Celebrity Rhys Lloyd is hosting a house full of people on New Year’s Eve along the coast of Mirror Lake in the uniquely named village of Cwm Coed. However, by midnight, he will be found dead, his body floating in the nearly frozen lake.

The ensuing chapters are told from the perspective of a different party guest, including Rhys himself. This gives readers the opportunity to get inside the psyche of each character involved and try to determine for themselves who might have hated Rhys enough to murder him in cold blood. The experience is like watching a great mystery from Agatha Christie unfold within the confines of the psychological thriller framework set forth by Mackintosh.

Local investigators Ffion Morgan and Leo Brady are on the case and determined to see it quickly close while answering all the questions that arise. It also is worth noting that Ffion has secrets of her own to protect. During the initial phase of the investigation, all eyes are pointed towards Rhys’ widow, Yasmin. She informs Ffion and Leo of a stalker that Rhys had in London who may have followed them out to their lake house.

It seems that the case against Yasmin is a slam dunk. Rhys’ daughters adored him, and evidence shows that Yasmin is the only one who would benefit greatly from his death. But appearances can be deceiving in a Clare Mackintosh novel, which means plenty of eye-opening revelations are in store for readers. In fact, at one point, Ffion and Leo actually begin to question if anyone in the area (known to locals as The Shore) are who they claim to be.

It is this revelation above all else that makes THE LAST PARTY so much fun to read and secures Mackintosh’s reputation as one of the top writers of psychological fiction working today.